Consider negative column on EVMs

The Bombay High Court on Thursday asked the State Election Commission to consider the possibility of introducing a column for negative vote in the electronic voting machines in order to ensure secrecy.

The Bombay High Court on Thursday asked the State Election Commission to consider the possibility of introducing a column for negative vote in the electronic voting machines in order to ensure secrecy.

At present,voters who wish to cast a negative vote have to fill up a separate form in which they have to give their personal details.

A PIL challenging this practice has been filed by Thane resident Mahesh Bedekar. Arguing before the Division Bench of Justice D D Sinha and Justice V K Tahilramani,Bedekars lawyer Sanjeev Gorwadkar contended that the existing procedure could lead to harassment and put pressure on voters.

Gorwadkar suggested a provision could be made in the upcoming civic elections on a trial basis for inclusion of the negative vote in the machine instead of asking the voter to fill up the form.

Appearing for the State Election Commission,lawyer Sachindra Shetye said while it is considering the possibility of such a provision,it cannot be introduced immediately.